City of Rochester Community Development Department New Appliance Permits and Permit Process Changes

The City of Rochester Community Development Department is happy to announce new appliance permits and changes to the permitting process. In support of the vision to become America’s most innovative development services team, the City of Rochester has implemented service enhancements to the...

07/23/2021 11:34 AM

Councilmember Mark Bransford Appointed to Serve on the Minnesota Special Education Advisory Panel

Councilmember Mark Bransford has been appointed to the Minnesota Special Education Advisory (SEAP). He will serve a three year term. The purpose of the SEAP is to provide a broad base of input to Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) staff regarding policies, practices and issues related to...

07/21/2021 12:29 PM

The City of Rochester Seeks Proposals for the Riverfront Small Area Plan

The City of Rochester is now accepting proposals for the Riverfront Small Area Plan. Qualified and innovative teams are encouraged to submit proposals for a community-driven process to develop a market-supported vision and small area plan for a central waterfront property that links together...

07/20/2021 3:01 PM

Mining Complete at Cascade Lake and Beach Now Open Seven Days a Week

The City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Department shares that the mining activities that had been taking place at Cascade Lake are now complete. The beach and water will now be open seven days a week until Labor Day.

07/20/2021 2:37 PM

Hey now, Smash Mouth is coming to Rochester, MN! This Sunday night July 25th at 7 PM in Mayo Park, with Rochester's own Push & Turn . Week #3 of the Think Bank Down by the Riverside FREE Series

Down by the Riverside is back!! The third of six events in the series will take place this Sunday night, July 25 at 7 PM in Mayo Park. A FREE concert from Smash Mouth and Rochester's own Push & Turn. It's '90s Night at the Think Bank Down by the Riverside FREE Concert Series! Presented by the City o

07/20/2021 8:10 AM

Community Members Encouraged to Participate in Random Sample Survey for City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Department

In 2015-2016, the City of Rochester developed a Parks & Recreation System Plan to help guide future improvements to make sure the facilities, programs, and amenities offered meet community needs, and to make sure that improvements were economically sustainable over the next 20 year period.

07/19/2021 9:20 AM

City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Department Receives Grant for New Splash Pad

The City of Rochester receives a $195,000 grant through the State of Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Grant Program, which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This grant will support the new splash pad, a free, fun amenity in Lincolnshire Park.

07/14/2021 9:07 AM

Down by the Riverside is back!! Season opener Sunday night, July 11 at 7 PM in Mayo Park. Country night, featuring a FREE concert from Lindsay Ell and Luke Hendrickson.

07/08/2021 8:52 AM

Sidewalk replacements and repairs must be completed by contractors with valid City of Rochester Sidewalk License

Sidewalk work completed by an unlicensed contractor that doesn’t meet specifications will be replaced at the owners expense as the City cannot warranty unlicensed work.

07/07/2021 1:25 PM

City of Rochester Community Development Department announces public engagement opportunities for second installment of Draft Unified Development Code

The City of Rochester is currently updating the City’s zoning ordinance, which regulates the way in which private property can be developed. The new zoning ordinance, known as the Unified Development Code (UDC), is being drafted in three major installments. Installment 2, which was publicly...

06/29/2021 7:41 AM

Fireworks, music, and more at 4th Fest, Rochester's Independence Day Celebration.

The City of Rochester, MN, Rochester Parks & Recreation, and Rochester Civic Music present 4th Fest, Rochester's Independence Day Celebration at Soldiers Field Park (300 7th St SW, Rochester, MN 55902), on July 4, 2021 starting at 4:30 p.m.

06/24/2021 8:15 AM

City of Rochester Celebrates and Thanks Steven J. Schmidt for 32 Years of Service as General Manager of the Civic Music Department

The City of Rochester thanks and celebrates Steven J. Schmidt who has announced his retirement after more than 32 years of service with the City as General Manager and Artistic Director of the Civic Music department. Schmidt joined the organization in 1989 and has enriched the community by...

06/22/2021 7:45 AM

Historic Chateau Theatre to Welcome Next Chapter

The City of Rochester and Destination Medical Center (DMC) have been working with Exhibits Development Group (EDG) since 2019 in the activation of the historic Chateau Theatre. Due to a number of factors, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City and EDG have agreed to conclude...

06/18/2021 2:44 PM

City of Rochester Community Development Department Announces Active Transportation Plan Update, Seeking Public Engagement

The City of Rochester is preparing an Active Transportation Plan update to the existing 2012 Rochester Area Bicycle Master Plan. The plan will target active transportation modes, defined as “human-powered modes of transportation, primarily walking and bicycling.”

06/18/2021 11:35 AM

Permanent closure of East River Road between East River Lane and 23 Street NE

The City of Rochester is permanently closing East River Road NE between East River Lane NE and 23 Street NE on June 21, 2021.

06/15/2021 12:21 PM

Rochester, MN Named as Finalist in Bloomberg Philanthropies 2021 Global Mayors Challenge

The City of Rochester, MN is one of 50 Champion Cities selected today as finalists in the 2021 Global Mayors Challenge, a global innovation competition that identifies and accelerates the most ambitious ideas developed by cities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These 50 urban innovations...

06/15/2021 7:29 AM

City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Department Announces Reopening and Opening of Soldiers Field and Silver Lake Pools

The City of Rochester Parks & Recreation department has announced that Soldiers Field Pool will reopen and Silver Lake Pool will open on June 14, 2021. This comes after the City announced a temporary closer due to safety concerns.

06/10/2021 2:49 PM

Expanded free parking in downtown public ramps

In an effort to encourage visits to downtown, the City of Rochester is expanding a popular free parking program. Now through the end of the year, all parking sessions under two hours in public ramps are free.

06/09/2021 4:10 PM

With Safety as a Top Priority, City of Rochester Parks & Recreation Department Announces Temporary Closure of Soldiers Field and Silver Lake Pools

The City of Rochester Parks & Recreation department has announced that with safety as a top priority, Soldiers Field Pool would be temporarily closed starting June 9, 2021 and Silver Lake Pool will delay opening until City teammates can work with community partners to address safety concerns that...

06/09/2021 5:56 AM

Four RPT routes return Monday

Starting Monday, June 7, Rochester Public Transit is reintroducing four routes that were suspended due to COVID-19 in April 2020.

06/06/2021